CTA Offers Penny Rides for New Year's Eve Revelers

Chicago's skyline rendered in pennies at the Clark/Lake station, part of a MillerCoors and CTA partnership to sponsor one cent rides on public transit during New Year's Eve.
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CHICAGO — Getting home after New Year's Eve in Chicago will be safer—and cheaper—thanks to brewing company MillerCoors.

The beermaker is partnering with the Chicago Transit Authority to sponsor Penny Rides on trains and buses from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. Dec. 31.

The discount would have cost the CTA about $1.3 million, according to a CTA release.

MillerCoors covered that cost, helped fund an additional flood of advertising for this year's Penny Rides, and paid for an art installation comprised of 8,000 pennies that's on display at the Clark/Lake station until Tuesday.

“This sponsorship ensures the continuation of the CTA Penny Rides program, offering our customers a convenient and safe way to celebrate the New Year,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool.

The transit system has offered one cent fares for New Year's Eve rides for more than 25 years. Each year, an average 150,000 bus and train rides are taken on New Year's Eve in Chicago, according to the CTA.

MillerCoors says it hopes revelers will take advantage of the discount to reduce the risk of unsafe driving on a night when many drink heavily.